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Jill McDowell Lincoln
I'm anxiously awaiting these beauties. I chatted with the owner of our local nursery and he advised me to feed my hydrangea plants this season. Jim was also a guest on the Jill & Jules Show. He's the most informed gardener I know and can without hesitation, answer any question you might have about botanical, planting, feeding plants. Last year my hydrangea plants didn't bud. Not even one bud! I was saddened by this. The two years before I had a abundant crop of sea foam green and periwinkle hydrangea blooms, but for some reason last summer, zip. My customers were saddened too because I offer the dried flowers at the apothecary shop. To this day I continue to get requests for the blooms. I had to tell them there were none. You could tell by their expressions that they were just as let down as I was.
I have been working, clearing, cleaning, pruning, digging, planting, spreading seeds for two days. It feels good to get dirty and it feels even better to plant. When it comes to planting, I'm partial to seeds over mature plants. I love to watch the tiny seedling pop through the moist dirt and the quickly grow to become a flower. My favorite seed to plant, zinnia. They have a variety of candy colored blooms. I happened upon a lime green variety that when I first saw the packet, my heart skipped a beat. Now I've told you how if I weren't a soap maker, I'd be a flower shop girl! Zinnia's are simple and easy to start from seed. Throw a few seeds in dark rich dirt, water and watch em grow! Look at all those zinnia's. Seriously, this humble, but colorful picking flower is a show stopper. Tip: After the zinnia's have begun to bloom, pluck a few tops and place on newspapers in a dark room. You'll have preserved zinnia's! You can get wire stems and attach them to the bloom and make an everlasting bouquet.
I'm in soap making early summer mode. Kicking into heavy manufacturing. The shop is sprouting and growing similar to my flower garden growth. I'm maturing and expanding in more ways that I ever imagined and the lessons I've learned along the way are indeed priceless. The human contact resource one acquires when owning a shop is beyond any put into words feelings. I guess making a living from doing what I love is almost as rewarding. I'm thankful and appreciative, and ponder those grateful thoughts each and every day.
When I grow old, those shop owner and soap maker memories will surely put a smile on my face and touch my old soul as I ponder.
Enjoy caring and sharing days.
With all good wishes,
Jill 00
Comments
pre-stuff
I'm anxiously awaiting these beauties. I chatted with the owner of our local nursery and he advised me to feed my hydrangea plants this season. Jim was also a guest on the Jill & Jules Show. He's the most informed gardener I know and can without hesitation, answer any question you might have about botanical, planting, feeding plants. Last year my hydrangea plants didn't bud. Not even one bud! I was saddened by this. The two years before I had a abundant crop of sea foam green and periwinkle hydrangea blooms, but for some reason last summer, zip. My customers were saddened too because I offer the dried flowers at the apothecary shop. To this day I continue to get requests for the blooms. I had to tell them there were none. You could tell by their expressions that they were just as let down as I was.
I have been working, clearing, cleaning, pruning, digging, planting, spreading seeds for two days. It feels good to get dirty and it feels even better to plant. When it comes to planting, I'm partial to seeds over mature plants. I love to watch the tiny seedling pop through the moist dirt and the quickly grow to become a flower. My favorite seed to plant, zinnia. They have a variety of candy colored blooms. I happened upon a lime green variety that when I first saw the packet, my heart skipped a beat. Now I've told you how if I weren't a soap maker, I'd be a flower shop girl! Zinnia's are simple and easy to start from seed. Throw a few seeds in dark rich dirt, water and watch em grow! Look at all those zinnia's. Seriously, this humble, but colorful picking flower is a show stopper. Tip: After the zinnia's have begun to bloom, pluck a few tops and place on newspapers in a dark room. You'll have preserved zinnia's! You can get wire stems and attach them to the bloom and make an everlasting bouquet.
I'm in soap making early summer mode. Kicking into heavy manufacturing. The shop is sprouting and growing similar to my flower garden growth. I'm maturing and expanding in more ways that I ever imagined and the lessons I've learned along the way are indeed priceless. The human contact resource one acquires when owning a shop is beyond any put into words feelings. I guess making a living from doing what I love is almost as rewarding. I'm thankful and appreciative, and ponder those grateful thoughts each and every day.
When I grow old, those shop owner and soap maker memories will surely put a smile on my face and touch my old soul as I ponder.
